Conmebol Qualifiers Throw Up Some Upsets

Brazil and Paraguay have suffered shock losses in the latest round of World Cup qualifiers played this morning across South America, with the all-important fifth position (from Oceania's perspective) becoming no clearer.

Brazil and Paraguay have suffered shock losses in the latest round of World Cup qualifiers played this morning across South America. These results have made the battle for the four automatic CONMEBOL places for Germany and a playoff birth against the Oceania champions even tighter.
Ecuador stormed into qualification contention with a 1-0 victory over Brazil. A 76th minute strike from Edison Mendez sent the home fans at Quito-s Atahualpa Stadium into rapture. The Brazilians who had many stars travel from Europe just 48 hours earlier struggled at high altitude and appeared fatigued.
Paolo Montero scored the winner for Uruguay in their 1-0 home win over fancied Paraguay in Montevideo. The Juventus defender scored in the 78th minute and has moved Uruguay right into contention. Uruguay now sits in that very important 5th position with seven matches to play. The team which finishes fifth will play the Oceania champions over two legs in November 2005 for the final spot in Germany.
Argentina took advantage of Brazil-s slip up with a 3-2 home victory over Venezuela, which moves them to the top of the region-s standings. Goals from Juan Riquelme and Javier Saviola sealed Venezuela-s fate after the underdogs also conceded an early own goal. Argentina led 3-1 until Venezuela hit back with a 71st minute goal to Lionel Vielma but they couldn-t get the equaliser.
Peru have moved out of the bottom three with a 2-1 home win over an underachieving Chile. Both teams had a player sent off, with Peru now joining Chile in equal sixth spot, a point behind Uruguay. Peru were 2-0 up before Chile scored a last minute consolation goal.
Strugglers Bolivia remain at the bottom of the standings after a 1-0 away loss to Colombia. Mario Yepes scored the only goal of the game after 18 minutes.
Results
Argentina - Venzuela - 3 - 2
Uruguay - Paraguay - 1 - 0
Peru - Chile - 2 - 1
Colombia - Bolivia - 1 - 0
Ecuador - Brazil - 1 - 0
Standings (Played 11 of 18 games)
Argentina 22 (+10)
Brazil 20 (+8)
Paraguay 16 (+1)
Ecuador 16 (0)
Uruguay 14 (-7)
Colombia 13 (+1)
Peru 13 (0)
Chile 13 (-1)
Venezuela 13 (-4)
Bolivia 10 (-9)